Metal–Fluorocarbon Based Energetic Materials

This exciting new book details all aspects of a major class of pyrolants and elucidates the progress that has been made in the field, covering both the chemistry and applications of these coompounds. Written by a pre–eminent authority on the subject from the NATO Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC), it begins with a historical overview of the development of these materials, followed by a thorough discussion of their ignition, combustion and radiative properties. The next section explores the multiple facets of their military and civilian applications, as well as industrial synthetic techniques. The critical importance of the associated hazards, namely sensitivity, stability and aging, are discussed in detail, and the book is rounded off by an examination of the future of this vital and expanding field. The result is a complete guide to the chemistry, manufacture, applications and required safety precautions of pyrolants for both the military and chemical industries. From the preface: "... This book fills a void in the collection of pyrotechnic literature... it will make an excellent reference book that all researchers of pyrolants and energetics must have..." Dr. Bernard E. Douda, Dr. Sara Pliskin, NAVSEA Crane, IN, USA

INTRODUCTION TO PYROLANTS HISTORY Organometallic Beginning Explosive & Obscurant Properties Rise of Fluorocarbons Rockets Fired Against Aircraft Metal/Fluorocarbon Pyrolants PROPERTIES OF FLUOROCARBONS Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Polycarbon Monofluoride (PMF) Vinylidene Fluoride – Hexafluoropropene Copolymer Vinylidene Fluoride – Chlorotrifluoroethylene Copolymer Copolymer of TFE and VDF Terpolymers of FE, HFP and VDF Summary of Chemical and Physical Properties of Common Fluoropolymers THERMOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS AND THEIR FLUORIDES REACTIVITY AND THERMOCHEMISTRY OF SELECTED METAL/FLUORCARBON SYSTEMS Lithium Magnesium Titanium Zirconium Hafnium Niob Tantalum Zinc Cadmium Boron Aluminium Silicon Calcium Silicide Tin IGNITION AND COMBUSTION MECHANISM OF MTV Ignition and Pre–Ignition of Metal/Fluorocarbon Pyrolants Magnesium–Grignard Hypothesis IGNITION OF MTV COMBUSTION Magnesium/Teflon/Viton Porosity Burn Rate Description Combustion of Metal–Fluorocarbon Pyrolants with Fuels Other than Magnesium Underwater Combustion SPECTROSCOPY Introduction UV–VIS Spectra MWIR Spectra Temperature Determination INFRARED EMITTERS Decoy Flares Nonexpendable Flares Metal–Fluorocarbon Flare Combustion Flames as Sources of Radiation Infrared Compositions Operational Effects Outlook OBSCURANTS Introduction Metal–Fluorocarbon Reactions in Aerosol Generation IGNITERS INCENDIARIES, AGENT DEFEAT, REACTIVE FRAGMENTS AND DETONATION PHENOMENA Incendiaries Curable Fluorocarbon Resin–Based Compositions Document Destruction Agent Defeat Reactive Fragments Shockwave Loading of Metal–Fluorocarbons and Detonation–Like Phenomena MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS Submerged Applications Mine–Disposal Torch Stored Chemical Energy Tracers Propellants SELF–PROPAGATING HIGH–TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS Introduction Magnesium Silicon and Silicides VAPOUR–DEPOSITED MATERIALS AGEING MANUFACTURE Introduction Treatment of Metal Powder Mixing Pressing Cutting Priming Miscellaneous Accidents and Process Safety SENSITIVITY Introduction Impact Sensitivity Friction and Shear Sensitivity Thermal Sensitivity ESD Sensitivity Insensitive Munitions Testing Hazards Posed by Loose In–Process MTV Crumb and TNT TOXIC COMBUSTION PRODUCTS MTV Flare Composition Obscurrant Formulations Fluorine Compounds OUTLOOK

Dr. Ernst–Christian Koch is Technical Specialist Officer at the NATO Munitions Safety Information Center (MSIAC), Brussels, Belgium. He studied chemistry at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany and was awared his doctoral degree at the same university in 1995. Before joining NATO in 2008, Dr. Koch spent 12 years working as a scientist for the German defence industry developing energetic materials and countermeasures. He is author of more than 20 peer reviewed papers and two book chapters. He holds more than 100 patents on energetic materials and countermeasures. Dr. Koch is a Lecturer on Energetic Materials at Technical University of Kaiserslautern/Germany and Pardubice University/Czech Republic and he currently serves as Vice President of the International Pyrotechnics Society and as an Editorial Board Member of Propellants Explosives Pyrotechnics.